It is important to remember that weather and wind conditions may change during the day. The Line Chief must maintain an awareness of conditions so that he can decide if a change should be made. This could be to:
- change the active runway
- change the circuit direction
- limit the flying to certain classes of pilots, i.e no early solo pilots in strong or gusty wind conditions, or instructors and experienced pilots only.
- stop flying altogether.
The information on flying conditions can be obtained from several sources:
- Your own observations of any difficulties pilots may be having, e.g. inability to adequately handle the crosswind component.
- Pilot or instructor reports.
- The recording anemometer in the Flight Office
- Observation of the weather, e.g. approaching thunderstorm.
The following guidelines are to be used:
Wind (or Gust Speed) |
Cross-wind Component | Restrictions |
Any | > 10 knots |
Change runways |
< 15 knots |
< 10 knots |
None |
15-20 knots |
< 10 knots |
Solo students under instructor advisement |
20-25 knots |
< 10 knots |
Experienced pilots only, restrict 1-26, 2-33 flying |
> 30 knots |
No flying |